JP2010093476A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of freely controlling exposure control values of iris, exposure time and ISO sensitivity, and promptly setting automatic exposure. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera, including a control means for making the exposure time, the iris value and the ISO sensitivity effective by either manual setting or automatic setting, has such independent switches as: an iris alteration switch for switching the iris setting between the manual setting and the automatic setting; an exposure time alteration switch for switching the exposure time setting between the manual setting and the automatic setting; and an ISO sensitivity alteration switch for switching the ISO sensitivity setting between the manual setting and the automatic setting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera. More specifically, the present invention relates to a digital camera including a switch that switches a plurality of photographing elements to manual or automatic setting independently.

  There are three types of exposure control elements of a digital camera: exposure time (shutter speed / exposure time TV), lens aperture diameter (aperture value AV), and light receiving element sensitivity (ISO sensitivity). As a method for controlling these, program exposure P, aperture priority exposure AV, shutter priority exposure TV, sensitivity priority exposure SV, shutter and aperture priority exposure TAV, manual exposure M, bulb exposure B, strobe tuning speed X, self There were exposure modes such as timer exposure T. In the case of a film camera, since the film sensitivity (ISO sensitivity) is fixed for each film, the ISO sensitivity could not be changed during shooting. Although the ISO sensitivity of the camera can be changed during shooting, it is very difficult to perform sensitization and desensitization development processing according to the changed ISO sensitivity for each frame of the film. However, in a digital camera, the light receiving element sensitivity can be changed to an arbitrary value at an arbitrary timing by changing the gain of the amplifier. For this reason, there are three exposure control elements that can be consciously changed during photographing, including the sensitivity of the light receiving element, and control methods such as sensitivity priority SV and shutter and aperture priority TAV are provided.

The sensitivity priority SV is an exposure mode that is automatically set so that the shutter speed and the aperture value are set to appropriate exposure according to the ISO sensitivity that is arbitrarily set. The shutter and aperture priority TAV are shutters that are arbitrarily set. This is an exposure mode in which the ISO sensitivity is automatically set so that proper exposure is achieved at the speed and aperture value.
JP 2006-301151 A

  In conventional film cameras, there are two exposure control elements that can be controlled: shutter speed TV and aperture value AV, so the number of exposure modes that can be selected is small, and the exposure mode can be selected with a single rotary dial. Met.

  However, in the digital camera, the number of exposure control elements has increased by one to three, so the selectable exposure modes have increased, and when the exposure mode can be selected with one rotary dial as in the past, The problem is that the rotation step is small and the operation becomes difficult, and the exposure mode display is too small. On the other hand, there has been a problem that the diameter of the rotary dial becomes large if the display is to be enlarged easily for operation. Further, the method of selecting and displaying the exposure mode on the display has a problem that the number of switch operations until the desired exposure mode is displayed and selected increases, and the operability deteriorates.

  In view of the problems of the conventional digital camera, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera that can freely adjust the aperture, exposure time, and exposure control values of ISO sensitivity, and can quickly set automatic exposure. To do.

  The present invention for solving such a conventional problem is a digital camera provided with a control means for operating the exposure time, the aperture value, and the ISO sensitivity by either manual setting or automatic setting, respectively. And switching means for independently switching the ISO sensitivity to either manual setting or automatic setting.

  More practically, as the switching means, an aperture switching switch for switching the aperture setting between manual setting and automatic setting, and an exposure time switching switch for switching the exposure time setting between manual setting and automatic setting In addition, an ISO sensitivity changeover switch that switches the ISO sensitivity setting between manual setting and automatic setting is provided independently.

  The digital camera of the present invention further includes a priority mode setting switch that has priority over the changeover switch, and the control means prioritizes manual / automatic setting switched by the changeover switch. Apply switch settings. Since the priority mode having priority over the mode set by the selector switch can be set by the priority mode setting switch without switching the selector switch, the operation becomes easy.

  When the strobe tuning mode is provided as the priority mode and the strobe tuning mode is set by the priority mode setting switch, the control means fixes the exposure time at the strobe tuning speed or lower than the strobe tuning speed. Set. When the flash is fired, the exposure time is synchronized with the flash only by operating the priority mode setting switch.

  When the valve mode is provided as the priority mode, and the valve mode is set by the priority mode setting switch, the control unit sets the shutter as a valve and manually sets the aperture value and ISO sensitivity. Since the valve mode can be set only by operating the priority mode setting switch, the operation is easy.

The aperture changeover switch, exposure time changeover switch, and ISO sensitivity changeover switch are independent push button switches, and display manual setting / automatic setting by illumination means or display means.
When the bulb mode is set by the priority mode switch, it is preferable to turn off the illumination means.

  The aperture switch, exposure time switch and ISO sensitivity switch may be independent slide switches.

  As described above, according to the present invention, manual setting and automatic setting of the aperture value, exposure time, and ISO sensitivity can be set by an independent changeover switch, so that the switching operation is easy and can be easily performed according to the subject situation even during shooting. It became possible to switch.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a digital single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention is applied. The digital single-lens reflex camera 10 includes an interchangeable lens 11 and a camera body 21, and the interchangeable lens 11 is detachably attached to the camera body 21.

  The interchangeable lens 11 includes a photographic lens group 17 including a focus adjustment lens group and a diaphragm 13 as a photographic optical system, and a lens CPU 15 that controls the function of the interchangeable lens 11 is mounted. In a state where the interchangeable lens 11 is mounted on the camera body 21, the lens CPU 15 communicates with the CPU of the camera body to exchange information regarding the interchangeable lens 11.

  The camera body 21 includes a main CPU (DSP) 37 that processes digital image signals, and a sub CPU 47 that controls overall camera functions such as AF and communicates with the lens CPU 15.

  Part of the subject luminous flux that has passed through the apertures of the photographing lens group 17 and the diaphragm 13 is reflected by the main mirror 23 and guided to the finder optical system (penta prism) 25, and further part of the light enters the photometric IC 27. The subject luminous flux transmitted through the main mirror 23 is reflected by the sub mirror 24 and enters the AF module 29. The photometry signal from the photometry IC 27 and the distance measurement signal from the AF module 29 are output to the sub CPU 47. The sub CPU 47 has a built-in ROM 47a in which a program for performing photometric calculation, AF processing, etc. is written, a RAM 47b in which variables are read and written, and a timer 47c that measures exposure time, interval time, and the like.

  The main mirror 23 is lowered to the observation position in the figure at the time of observation, but is raised to the photographing position at the time of photographing (release), and the sub mirror 24 is brought into close contact with the back surface of the main mirror 23 to open the photographing optical path. When the shutter 31 is opened, a subject image is formed on a CCD image sensor 33 as an image sensor. The subject image is converted into an analog pixel signal by the CCD image sensor 33, amplified by an AFE (Analog Front End) 35, A / D converted, and output to the main CPU 37 as a digital image signal.

  The shutter 31 is driven and controlled by the sub CPU 47 via the drive circuit 57. The drive circuit 57 also controls the drive of the eleven stops 13. The CCD image sensor 33 is driven and controlled by the main CPU 37 via a TG (Timing Generator). The image sensor may be a CMOS image sensor.

  The camera body 21 includes a monitor 39 for displaying information necessary for photographing on the upper surface, and a monitor 41 for displaying a photographed image in addition to the above information. The display of the monitors 39 and 41 is controlled by the main CPU 37. The main CPU 37 displays information necessary for shooting on the monitors 39 and 41 in the shooting state, and reads out the image file recorded on the memory card 43 in the playback state. Display on the monitor 41.

  The AF module 29 is a so-called TTL phase difference type sensor. The pair of image signals output from the AF module 29 is input to the sub CPU 47 as a focus detection signal, and the sub CPU 47 obtains the defocus amount from the phase difference (interval) between the pair of image signals, and takes a photographic lens for further focusing. The direction and amount of movement (lens drive amount) of the group 17 focusing lens group are calculated. Then, the sub CPU 47 drives an AF motor (not shown) based on the lens driving amount to move the focus adjustment lens group.

  The sub CPU 47 is connected with a main switch SWM, a photometric switch SWS as a first switch, and a release switch SWR as a second switch as switches. The main switch SWM is a switch for turning on / off the power supply. When the main switch SWM is turned on, the sub CPU 47 supplies power from a battery (not shown) to other members, and when the main switch SWM is turned off. The power supply to other members is cut off, and a transition is made to a sleep state in which the main switch SWM is periodically checked. As is well known, the metering switch SWS and the release switch SWR are linked to the release button. When the release button is half-pressed, the metering switch SWS is turned on, and when the release button is fully pressed, the release switch SWR is kept on. Turns on.

  Further, the sub CPU 47 includes an aperture changeover switch, an exposure time changeover switch, and ISO sensitivity as switching means for independently changing the aperture value, exposure time (shutter speed) and ISO sensitivity between automatic setting and manual setting. A mode setting switch group 61 including a changeover switch, a parameter setting switch group 63 for manually setting an aperture value, an exposure time and ISO sensitivity, and a cross key switch group 65 for displaying and changing various functions are connected. The sub CPU 47 sets the exposure mode according to the on / off state of the switch group 61 and sets the aperture value and the exposure time according to the on / off state of the setting switch group 63.

  In FIG. 2, the upper surface of the camera body exterior 100 of the camera body 21 is shown. On the upper surface of the camera body exterior 100, an accessory shoe 111 is provided to the left of the center, and a monitor 39 for displaying a shooting mode and the like is provided to the right of the center. A release button 113 is provided at the front bulge portion of the monitor 39, and a power switch lever 115 is provided concentrically with the release button 113. When the release button 113 is pressed halfway, the photometry switch SWS is turned on, and when the release button 113 is fully pressed, the release switch SWR is turned on. In the power switch lever 115, the main switch SWM is turned on / off according to the rotational position.

  A first electronic dial 117 is provided further to the front side (subject side) than the power switch lever 115, and a second electronic dial 119 is provided to the rear side of the monitor 39. The first and second electronic dials 117 and 119 are interlocked with the switches of the parameter setting switch group 63 for manually setting the aperture value and the exposure time, and are operated by rotating the first and second electronic dials 117 and 119. The aperture value and exposure time can be changed manually.

  A monitor 41 (not shown) is provided on the rear surface of the camera body exterior 100, and a cross key switch 127 as an operation unit of the cross key switch group 65 is provided beside the monitor 41. In this embodiment, the ISO sensitivity manual setting mode is selected by operating the cross key switch 127, and the ISO sensitivity can be manually set by operating the second electronic dial 119.

  A mode setting button 121 is provided on the left side of the accessory shoe 111. The mode setting button 121 is provided with a Tv changeover switch 123a, an Av changeover switch 123b, and an Sv changeover switch 123c in three divided regions formed on the circular surface of the cylindrical main body. These changeover switches 123b, 123a, and 123c function as an aperture changeover switch, an exposure time changeover switch, and an ISO sensitivity changeover switch included in the mode setting switch group 61, and manually set and automatically set the aperture, exposure time, and ISO sensitivity. It has a function to switch to either.

  As the change-over switches 123a, 123b, and 123c, a light-emitting switch that incorporates a light-emitting element and lights up the light-emitting element when turned on is preferable. In this case, the light emitting element is turned on during automatic setting, and is turned off during manual setting.

  On the surface of the mode setting button 121, a window 121b is formed in a region between the Tv changeover switch 123a and the Av changeover switch 123b, and the display portion of the disk-like priority mode display switch 125 is exposed from the window 121b. is doing. The priority mode display switch 125 is a mode in which the priority mode is displayed on the surface by engraving, printing, and the like, is pivotally supported with respect to the camera body exterior 100, and sets the priority mode according to the rotation position. The switches of the setting switch group 61 are turned on / off. The priority mode display plate 125 is pivotally supported relative to the mode setting button 121 by an axis (not shown) having the same axis as the center of the mode setting button 121.

Each change-over switch 123a, 123b, 123c is a switch that switches on / off each time it is pressed. Table 1 shows an embodiment of an exposure mode set by turning on / off each of the change-over switches 123a, 123b, and 123c.

"ISO Manual"
Manual: Exposure mode in which the user sets all of the exposure time TV, aperture value AV, and ISO sensitivity SV. TV priority: The user sets the exposure time TV and ISO sensitivity SV arbitrarily, and the aperture value AV is set to the proper exposure. Exposure mode automatically set to become AV priority: Exposure mode in which the user arbitrarily sets the aperture value AV and ISO sensitivity SV, and the exposure time TV is set automatically so that the appropriate exposure is achieved. Program: ISO sensitivity SV The exposure mode is set automatically by the user and the exposure time TV and aperture value AV are automatically set according to the program line so that the exposure is appropriate. SV priority: The ISO sensitivity SV is set arbitrarily by the user and the exposure time TV And an exposure mode that is automatically set so that the aperture value AV is properly exposed

"ISO Auto"
TAV priority (Shutter & Aperture priority): Exposure mode in which the user arbitrarily sets the exposure time and aperture value, and is automatically set so that the ISO sensitivity is appropriate. TV priority: The user arbitrarily sets the exposure time Exposure mode in which the aperture value and ISO sensitivity are automatically set so as to achieve proper exposure AV priority: The user arbitrarily sets the aperture value, and the exposure time and ISO sensitivity are automatically set so as to achieve proper exposure. Exposure mode Program: An exposure mode that is automatically set according to the program line so that the exposure time, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity are all appropriate.

  As described above, according to the digital single-lens reflex camera, the ISO manual / auto, the exposure time manual / auto, and the aperture manual / auto are independently operated by turning on / off the three selector switches 123a, 123b, and 123c. Can be set.

  3A, 3B, and 3C are plan views of the priority mode display plate 125. FIG. The exposure mode set in the mode setting button 121 can be set more finely and in detail by a plurality of changeover switches that are turned on / off depending on the rotational position of the priority mode display plate 125. The priority mode switch is formed such that the mark corresponding to the window 121b is turned on, and the detailed exposure mode is set according to the displayed mark and the setting state of the changeover switches 123b to 123c.

The priority mode of the illustrated embodiment includes the following priority modes corresponding to the displayed marks.
The display “X” is a strobe synchronization speed (exposure time) priority mode, and the shutter speed (shortest exposure time) is fixed to the strobe synchronization speed regardless of the set exposure mode. Note that the fastest shutter speed that can be set may be limited to the flash synchronization speed.
The display “B” is a valve mode. In this bubble mode, the shutter is interlocked with the release switch SWR, and the aperture and ISO sensitivity are set manually.
The display “L” is the lock position, and the exposure mode when the lock position is set is fixed, and subsequent operations of the changeover switches 123a, 123b, and 123c are not accepted.
The display “N” is the normal mode, and the exposure mode according to Table 1 is set.
The displays “U ₁ ”, “U ₂ ”, and “U ₃ ” are first, second, and third user setting modes, and the user can arbitrarily set and memorize the aperture, exposure time, and ISO sensitivity. Can do. For example, three types of program line settings, aperture, exposure time, ISO sensitivity limit settings, etc. can be stored. In another embodiment, a preset detailed exposure mode is assigned so that it is not changed by the operation of the changeover switches 123b, 123a, 123c.
Although not shown in FIG. 3, a long exposure mode “T”, a moving image shooting setting, and the like can be arranged.

  4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the changeover switch. 4 is a plan view of the exterior of the camera body to which the second embodiment is applied. In FIG. 5, (A) shows all the changeover switches set automatically (automatic setting), and (B) shows all changeover switches set manually. It is an enlarged view which shows a mode made into (manual setting). Note that members having the same functions as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, slide type Av, Tv, and Sv changeover switches 131, 132, and 133 that stop at two positions are directed on the upper surface of the camera body exterior 100 so as to slide in the lateral direction of the camera. It is arrange | positioned at equal intervals in the front-back direction. In the figure, the Av, Tv, Sv changeover switches 131, 132, 133 are set to manual (manual) when the operation sliders 131a, 132a, 133a slide to the right end, and automatically (automatic) when they slide to the left end. ) Setting. In the vicinity of the Av, Tv, and Sv selector switches 131, 132, and 133, a pictograph or character that displays the type of switch and a pictograph or character that indicates which position is set manually or automatically are displayed. Has been.

  According to the second embodiment, the operation sliders 131b, 132a, and 133a are moved to the left or right to set the aperture Av, the exposure time Tv, and the ISO sensitivity Sv automatically / manually. You can recognize if it is set.

It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the digital single-lens reflex camera to which this invention is applied. It is a top view of the camera body exterior of the digital single-lens reflex camera. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing only a switch applied to the digital single-lens reflex camera, in which (A) shows only the priority mode display board, and (B) and (C) are plan views of the automatic / manual switching switch. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing different priority mode setting states. It is a top view which shows the camera body exterior of the digital single-lens reflex camera to which the automatic / manual changeover switch of different embodiment is applied. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing only the automatic / manual changeover switch, in which (A) is an automatic (auto) setting state, and (B) is a plan view showing all manual (manual) setting states.

Explanation of symbols

11 Interchangeable lens 13 Aperture 21 Camera body 37 Main CPU
39 Monitor 47 Sub CPU
61 Mode setting switch group 63 Parameter setting switch group 65 Cross key switch group 100 Camera body exterior 117 First electronic dial 119 Second electronic dial 121 Mode setting button 123a Tv switch (exposure time switch)
123b Av switch (aperture switch)
123c Sv switch (ISO sensitivity switch)
125 Priority mode display switch 127 Cross key switch 131 Av selector switch 132 Tv selector switch 133 Sv selector switch

Claims (8)

A digital camera provided with a control means for operating exposure time, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity, either manually or automatically,
A digital camera comprising switching means for independently switching the exposure time, aperture value and ISO sensitivity to either manual setting or automatic setting. 2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the switching means is an aperture switch for switching the aperture setting between manual setting and automatic setting, and an exposure for switching the exposure time setting between dynamic setting and automatic setting. A digital camera, characterized in that a time changeover switch and an ISO sensitivity changeover switch for switching ISO sensitivity setting between dynamic setting and automatic setting are provided independently. 3. The digital camera according to claim 2, further comprising a priority mode setting switch that has priority over the changeover switch, wherein the control means has priority over the manual / automatic setting switched by the changeover switch. Digital camera to apply the settings of. 4. The digital camera according to claim 3, wherein a strobe tuning mode is provided as the priority mode, and the control means sets the exposure time to strobe tuning when the strobe tuning mode is set by the priority mode setting switch. A digital camera that is fixed at a speed or set to a speed lower than the flash synchronization speed. 4. The digital camera according to claim 3, wherein a valve mode is provided as the priority mode, and the control means uses a shutter as a valve and an aperture value when the valve mode is set by the priority mode setting switch. And digital camera with ISO sensitivity set manually. 6. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the aperture switch, the exposure time switch, and the ISO sensitivity switch are independent push button switches that are manually set / set by an illumination unit or a display unit. A digital camera that displays automatic settings. 7. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein when the bulb mode is set by the priority mode switch, the illumination unit is turned off. 6. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the aperture switch, the exposure time switch, and the ISO sensitivity switch are independent slide switches.

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